Chapter 123: Chun-bong Divine Art (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 123: Chun-bong Divine Art (1)
Jin Gi-jae-cheon, the Mad Blood Monster Lee Seo-jun.
Azure Sky and Great Sea, Namgung Hyeok.
Fist King Pae Jin-gwang.
It was a truly magnificent lineup of instructors.
Looking at them, it was obvious why there was such a vast gap between martial artists from great sects and those without such backing.
It went without saying, but a single word of advice from a Super Peak master could provide immense help to one's growth. The growth of someone who regularly received such teachings could never be compared to those scraping by with mediocre instruction at the very bottom.
This very courtyard was proof of that.
Jang-geuk, the former Chief of the Green Forest, wasn't a master to be ignored anywhere else, but here, he could barely hold his head high.
And an intensive lecture from these three ultra-top-tier masters? It was an opportunity that couldn't be bought, no matter how much money one poured out.
"So, consider it an honor." Seo-jun grinned and drew his sword. "We'll start with you, Sis."
"……"
"…Miss Namgung. It’s a bit awkward when you stare at me like that."
"What did I do?"
"No, it’s just…"
The reason he was starting with her instead of Chun-bong was simple.
"You know the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique? I realized a few things after watching the old man here use it."
The 'old man,' Namgung Hyeok, twitched an eyebrow.
"You gained enlightenment after seeing it just once? Truly, a genius of the world…"
"I’ve seen it several times."
At Seo-jun's words, Pae Jin-gwang snorted. "A single spar only counts as seeing it once."
"Yeah, yeah." Seo-jun brushed him off and continued the lecture. "I’ve seen three people use the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique: my father-in-law, Sis, and the old man here. But the basic forms and the sword techniques of my father-in-law and the old man are definitely quite different."
In Namgung Jin-cheon’s case, his imagery was the empty sky and the heavens themselves. In Namgung Hyeok’s case, it was the sky reflecting upon the sea.
Then what about Namgung Su-ah?
"To be honest, yours is a bit ambiguous."
"Hmm… Is it?"
"Yeah. Oh, I’m not saying it’s bad. It’s perfectly fine for the Peak Realm, but that’s just how it looks to me."
They say all martial arts converge into one at the apex, but that end is very far away. It would probably require stepping a bit beyond the Profound Realm. Until then, a martial artist usually focuses on developing a specific mental imagery rather than aiming for that single ultimate point.
For example, the Primordial Unity Sun-Moon Astral Qi and the Wudang Sect’s Taiji Wisdom Sword were exactly like that.
"I haven't seen the Taiji Wisdom Sword, so I don't know for sure, but if my father-in-law said so, it must be right. Just by the name, it’s obviously related to Taiji, right? The Primordial Unity Sun-Moon Astral Qi is also a martial art that ultimately aims for Taiji, so they must share many similarities."
"Hmm… So you're saying my father's Firmament Boundless Sword Technique aims for the imagery of the sky, and my great-granduncle's aims for the sea? And that I need to find a mental imagery to serve as my own pillar."
"Wow, are you a genius?"
"Hehe, don't flatter me too much, or I might get cocky."
A cocky Namgung Su-ah?
—Uh-huh, Seo-jun? Could you get me some water?
—Right there. Give it a good squeeze.
Hmm. Not bad.
"Brat, stop drifting off."
"Oops."
Snapping back to reality, Seo-jun continued the lecture.
"So, I’m going to give you an assignment."
"To find my direction?"
"Exactly." Seo-jun grinned. "I'll show you an example."
In truth, all of this was just groundwork leading up to what he wanted to show her.
Drawing his sword, Seo-jun performed the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique. Within his mind, the oral chants of the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique scattered and reassembled, embracing the imagery of the White River Returning to the Ocean.
Rumble—!
A small stream flowing through the sky unraveled, thread by thread. As his softly swung sword embroidered the space, the blue traces left in its wake gathered together to form a massive tidal wave.
Watching the space become dyed entirely in blue, Namgung Hyeok marveled.
"Ho… He interpreted the Falling Sea from the Firmament in his own way…"
It was just as Namgung Hyeok said. Seo-jun had taken the great sea that the elder had etched into the world and engraved it into his own mental imagery in his own unique way.
To be precise, White River Returning to the Ocean was an imagery focused on 'rivers.' The sea that those rivers were meant to flow into had been missing, but he had managed to acquire a perfect one through this opportunity. It could be called a successful expansion of his mental imagery.
"Now, this is the important part." Seo-jun met Namgung Su-ah's eyes. "Watch closely."
He scattered the oral chants of the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique once more. This time, the imagery that took the place of the great sea was none other than the plum blossom.
Firmament Boundless.
The sky shattered into fragments. Pieces of the azure heavens fluttered along Seo-jun's blade, and as he pointed his sword toward the sky, they soared high.
Fwaaaaaaaaah—!!
Amidst the petals that contained the sky itself, Seo-jun smirked.
"See? It’s a bit different from the Heavenly Plum Blossom you saw before."
The Heavenly Plum Blossom was the Plum Blossom Sword Technique imbued with the imagery of the sky, while this Firmament Boundless was the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique imbued with the imagery of the plum blossom.
"The Heavenly Plum Blossom is ultimately a plum blossom, but this Firmament Boundless is ultimately the sky. You get the gist, right?"
Namgung Su-ah smiled brightly. "Hehe, sorry. I don't get it at all."
"What."
This was unexpected.
*
A dejected Seo-jun retreated to a corner.
Jang-geuk comforted him as he glanced at Namgung Su-ah, who was now receiving instruction from Namgung Hyeok.
"Come now, Lord. Didn't you say ordinary people can't understand your explanations?"
"No, Sis isn't an ordinary person."
"I’m telling you, your standards are a bit strange. What was it again… the Azure Lightning Heart Method? When you created that, you explained it well enough for everyone to understand. Why not this time?"
"If someone can't understand that, they shouldn't be learning martial arts at all. Even a neighborhood dog could understand it."
"Hmm. May I hit you just once?"
"As if."
"A pity."
Seo-jun organized his thoughts even as he grumbled.
'The Azure Lightning Heart Method…'
That was a foundational art, which was why he could structure it so simply. High-level martial arts couldn't be spoon-fed like baby food. If he did that, she would wander in place forever, completely stagnating. He didn't want to be resented by Namgung Su-ah in the future.
"Well, nothing for it."
He had no choice but to walk her through the steps slowly until his sister understood. Since she hadn't found her own mental imagery yet anyway, she would achieve explosive growth the moment she gained enlightenment.
"So, next is our Chun-bu-i's turn."
Chun-bong stood there with her arms crossed, pouting at Seo-jun. He grinned.
"The protagonist always appears last."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's true." Seo-jun cleared his throat. "Behold, the Chun-bong Divine Art…!"
To be precise, it was the Chun-bong Divine Art Prototype. The final version would probably end up named something like 'Chun-bong Divine Art Final Real Final This Is It For Real 111123.'
"What kind of name is…" Chun-bong hesitated for a moment, torn between being angry or happy.
Creating a martial art with her name on it? Honestly, she was thrilled. But still, Chun-bong Divine Art. Did he really think that was a plausible name?
"As you know, the name of a martial art is important," Seo-jun explained. "In a way, you could say the name is a summary of its core mental imagery."
The 24-Move Plum Blossom Sword Technique, the Firmament Boundless Sword Technique, the Emperor Sword Form. Just by hearing the names, one could immediately grasp what those martial arts sought to achieve.
"That’s why this martial art has to be the Chun-bong Divine Art."
It was a martial art tailored solely for her. If anyone else tried to practice it, not only would it fail to display its true power, but they might immediately suffer Qi Deviation.
"It is a martial art meant only for you."
Seo-jun's eyes reflected Chun-bong. Staring blankly at her own reflection in his dark pupils, Chun-bong nodded as if possessed.
Thump, thump. Her heart raced for no reason.
Lately, her cheeks had been heating up entirely too often. Chun-bong patted them to cool down and nodded primly.
"…Hmph. Well, fine."
At that sight, Seo-jun's breath hitched for a moment.
The way Chun-bong shyly lowered her gaze and gave that slight nod…
"Why are you so cute, our Chun-bong?!"
"Wha—?!"
Seo-jun scooped Chun-bong up and, in one fluid motion, hoisted her onto his shoulders before bolting across the courtyard.
"Everyone, look…! Look at our Chun-bu-i!"
"I thought he was being serious for a second, but this bastard…!"
"I’m Geum Chun-bong’s big brother…!"
Jang-geuk watched Seo-jun's retreating back with a look of utter bewilderment.
"To think that’s the same person from back then…"
Even thinking back on it now, the image of that terrifying killing ghost was chilling. Recalling the bizarre sight of the man tearing off and reattaching his own arm, Jang-geuk shuddered.
Yes. That was definitely a sight befitting a demon… Yet, in front of that child named Chun-bong, he couldn't possibly look more foolish.
"Perhaps the future of the Murim depends on that child…"
No. Was that taking it a bit too far? Jang-geuk shook his head.
*
The rest of the day passed by while playing with Chun-bong.
The next day, just as Seo-jun was about to begin teaching the postponed Chun-bong Divine Art, a guest arrived.
"Oh, we meet again?"
"It has been a while… though perhaps not that long. It is good to see you again, Benefactor."
Hye-un smiled brightly and pressed his palms together in a Buddhist greeting.
It was the monk—his secret friend—who had mercifully offered his bald head for Chun-bong to pat. Thinking about it again, wasn't this man the closest thing to a living Buddha? Willingly letting someone pat his bald head was not something an ordinary person's tolerance could handle. He didn't know much about religion, but there were surely a Buddha or two living in that man's heart.
Meanwhile, the face of the other monk who had come with him was also quite familiar.
Was it Ji-baek? He was the monk who had fought alongside him on the battlefield where the Giryeon Sect Leader had appeared.
"Have you been doing well lately?"
"Hoho, I am simply devoting myself to my training."
On the battlefield, he had looked like he was at death's door, but seeing him now, his complexion was much better.
Seo-jun smirked and asked, "Anyway, what brings you here so suddenly?"
"I have come to deliver a message from the Murim Alliance." Hye-un glanced around before continuing. "It is not exactly a secret matter, but… could we speak inside? The nature of the issue is a bit sensitive."
"Of course."
Seo-jun led the way. After entering a suitable room, he thought about offering them tea, but then realized he had never brewed tea in his life.
'Still, I’m a Super Peak master. I should be able to brew some tea.'
So, he just brewed it based on pure intuition.
"Here you go."
"Thank you."
"I will enjoy it."
Hye-un and Ji-baek took a sip, then quietly set their cups back on the table.
At their strange reaction, Seo-jun took a sip himself.
"Hmm."
Seo-jun pushed his teacup far away and laughed awkwardly. "So, what’s this about? Is it bad news?"
"In a way, yes. The Murim Alliance is in a position where they must ask for a favor. That is why the two of us, who are acquainted with you, Young Hero, have come."
At Ji-baek's words, Seo-jun tilted his head, having no memory of being particularly involved with the Murim Alliance.
"Did the Murim Alliance do something wrong?"
"Hmm… That is exactly the problem. You can consider this compensation for failing to do what should have been done."
"Aha."
Come to think of it, that was true. Those bastards at the Murim Alliance. Weren't they the sons of bitches who failed to send reinforcements on time?
"Still, it’s surprising. Offering compensation, even though I didn't say anything."
"Did you not know? I heard that the young lady of the Namgung Clan sent several lengthy letters."
"Oh."
It seemed that although his sister hadn't said anything to him, she had been quite pissed off.